Chhath festivities over but cleaning up yet to take place

Four days after the conclusion of Chhath Puja, the banks of the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) near Tara Wala Pul continue to present a deplorable sight, with waste, decaying offerings and religious articles lying unattended. Despite repeated calls for action, neither the representatives of Municipal Corporation, the local MLA, nor any government department have taken up the responsibility to clean the area.

The Tribune visited the site on Wednesday and found the remnants of offerings, flowers, food leftovers, and plastic bags floating in the canal and piled up along its embankments. The roads leading to the ghats were equally filthy, with garbage accumulating in every corner, making the area unhygienic and unpleasant for commuters and residents alike. When contacted, Ward No. 35 councillor Amarjeet Kaur said, "We will discuss the matter, but no decision has been taken yet." Her response mirrored the prevailing indifference among civic representatives.

Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia, when asked about the delay, said, "If the garbage is inside the canal, it is the duty of the Irrigation Department. If it's on the embankments, the Forest Department should act. If neither department initiates cleaning, we will undertake it in the coming days."

Meanwhile, MLA (Amritsar West) Jeevan Jyot Kaur could not be reached for her comments in the matter. Her personal assistant initially informed that she was attending a meeting, asked about the issue and assured to respond, but despite repeated attempts later, did not respond to calls.

The continuing mess after Chhath Puja has not only exposed the lack of coordination among departments but also raised serious questions about civic accountability. With each public representative passing the buck, the polluted canal and its surroundings stand as a glaring reminder of administrative apathy in the holy city.

It may be mentioned that residents have been saying that the organisers must be held responsible. They should arrange for dustbins, awareness drives, and cleanup teams, while municipal authorities should ensure proper waste disposal, recycling, and large-scale cleaning.